VALOREM inaugurates the DEM&TER project in the Landes region: a life-size demonstration of agrivoltaics
Following its commissioning this summer, VALOREM, an independent green energy operator, inaugurated the DEM&TER project on Wednesday 16 October, in the presence of Guillaume Riou, Vice-President of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council, Mme Degos, Vice-President of the Landes département, and Serge Zaka, an agricultural engineer with a doctorate in agroclimatology. This 2-hectare experimental project explores growing alfalfa, raspberries and asparagus under solar panels. This is a first under a partnership with the Les Mousquetaires Group, which has undertaken to purchase the energy produced under a long-term contract (PPA).
Inauguration of VALOREM’s first full-scale agrivoltaics experiment
For VALOREM, the development of renewable energies offers a real opportunity to add value to the region. Winner of a regional call for projects, this 250 kWp experiment is located in Losse and financed by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. It has a dual objective: to accelerate research and development in this field and to provide innovative agronomic solutions.
It also benefits from a power purchase agreement (PPA) with les Mousquetaires Group, which will enable them to control the electricity purchase price over a 20-year period. The region has been involved in the development of the demonstrator through 3 crowdfunding campaigns. A total of 559 lenders have expressed their support for this first-of-its-kind project in the Landes region, investing nearly €500,000. This is a strong sign of public support for this model, which represents a significant step forward for the agricultural sector.
Innovation for agriculture and farmers
Three crops have been chosen for this project: raspberries, asparagus and alfalfa. Thanks to this system, agronomic monitoring will optimise shade management, limit evapotranspiration and provide natural protection against climatic hazards such as wind and frost. The selection of these crops is not insignificant: alfalfa, often imported from Spain, offers a strategic local outlet for farmers; raspberries, meanwhile, are gradually being relocated to the South-West; while asparagus is already well established there. To measure the impact of the project, a control area without solar panels has been set up to compare agronomic results and assess the tangible benefits of this innovative approach.
This project also responds to the need to transform the agricultural model, particularly for small farms in search of financial stability. Agrivoltaics can provide this security, which is essential if we are to move towards more sustainable agriculture. VALOREM stands out for its global approach, which goes far beyond the agronomic aspects traditionally emphasised by other developers. With the support of its operating subsidiary VALEMO, the company helps farmers to carry out an in-depth study of their working environment, in order to ensure that farming activities and the operation of energy infrastructures coexist harmoniously. This approach, which focuses on farmers’ real needs, makes it possible to optimise land use while ensuring a sustainable synergy between agricultural production and energy production.
The implementation of this project is the culmination of a fruitful development, research and study work with agricultural, scientific and local players. This installation has enabled both the agricultural players and the VALOREM Group to gain a better understanding of how an agrivoltaic power plant works, and to effectively develop new projects of this type in the future.
I’m proud to be contributing to this initiative, which is speeding up research and development in agrivoltaics. Although this practice imposes specific constraints, distinct from those of traditional agriculture, I’m convinced that this innovation will open up unprecedented prospects for the agricultural sector. As far as yields are concerned, the results obtained so far are promising and the trends for the current year are encouraging.
Contacts Presse
Virginie REYDY | VALOREM : virginie.reydy@valorem-energie.com / 06 13 57 37 57
Adrien CORTOT | HOPSCOTCH PR : valorem@hopscotch.fr / 06 58 53 30 90